After celebrating Ascension with an evening Eucharist last Thursday we came together at 10 am this morning to further consider the Ascension and to look forward to next week and Pentecost. In his sermon Father Stephen discussed the idea that Heaven is not some distant place, but in fact very close to us. To be in the presence of God is to be in heaven so as He is all around us we are but a short step from Heaven. This idea of an internal ascension into the presence of God can be traced from Deuteronomy through the Bible, and is very present in the poetry of the early seventeenth century especially George Herbert, who's poems are use in many well known hymns.

The Choir sang 'God is gone up with a Merry Noise' by Croft as the Anthem. There was coffee after the service in the new rooms.

Next Thursday at 7:30 in the evening we will be having the Deanery Confirmation service at St

Mary's. Please do come along and support our candidates and those from other Churches in the Deanery. Bishop Mark will be conducting the Confirmation, and there will be a 'Sidlesham Tea' afterwards in the new rooms. This is such an important step for our young people becoming full members of the family of God, it is really important to support them!